Press



'B. J. PIERSON PRESS Filed Jan. 17, 1941 Jan. 5, 1943.

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IEAJP/EIFSON;

' H'Munz 4 B. J. PIERSON Jan. 7 5, 1943.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 PRESS Filed Jan. 17, 1941 S N mm I attozum W k F Jan. 5, 1943. PIE'RSON 2,307,333

PRESS Fileid Jan. 17, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I B. d. /E6ON Patented Jan. 5, 1943 UNITED STATE PATENT OFFICE PRESS Benjamin J. Pierson, Johnstown, N.

to Formrite Bacon Y., assignor Press Corporation, West Albany, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 17, 1941, Serial No. 374,929

14 Claims.

for use in pressing bacon bellies to reform them after the smoking process into substantially rectangular shape thereby insuring that substantially all of the belly may be sliced into a number one quality product.

In addition to other novel features, such prior construction provides a novel platen structure and supporting means therefor to permit the platen structure to be reduced in size when the pressing operation takes place without the necessity of providing a structure wherein the platen is permitted to extend beyond the edges of the pressing chamber as the latter is reduced in size during the pressing operation. Such construction further provides a sectional platen the respective elements of which are formed of thin sheets whereby they are adapted to slide relative to each other, and to provide an effective expansible and contractible supporting structure for the platen elements whereby the latter are effectively supported during the pressing operation.

Although the above described apparatus with its several additional features has proven very satisfactory in operation, it has been found that difiiculty is sometimes experienced in operation resulting from an occasional misalignment of parts, resulting in damage to the same.

The present invention is an improvement over the type of press just described and an important object of this invention is to provide an improved press structure which is simple in design, more efficient in operation, and more rugged in the construction of its several parts.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an improved type of lower platen free from th above described difiiculties.

A further object is the provision of a press structure of simple and rugged construction having a lower platen which is floatingly mounted in the press chamber and capable of movement in three different dimensions.

Another object is the provision in a press of a novel type of pressing chamber whereby a smoothing or ironing action is imparted to the meat products being pressed therein thereby eliminating the undesirable markings caused by uneven or separable pressure surfaces now in use.

A further object is the provision of a press of the type described having a novel press chamber comprising an integral side and end wall structure which is vertically movable and floatably mounted on the lower platen, and another side wall and another end Wall independently and relatively movable horizontally to each other and to the integral side and end wall structure.

' A further object is the provision of a press of the type described having a novel press chamber including a floating bottom platen vertically movable and slidably movable horizontally in two directions so as to press to rectangular form the four sides and top and bottom of the bacon bellies or meat products being pressed therein.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the drawings I have shown one embodiment of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus,

Figure 2 is a plane View of the same,

Figure 3 is a cross-section taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a cross-section taken on line 44 of Figure 2, 1

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5--5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the collapsible end wall pressure member shown in Figure 5, and, I Figure 7 is a diagrammatic perspective View of the piping connections for the fluid pressure system.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 19 designates a hollow base structure for the apparatus which is secured to 2. preferably solid bottom plate :ll, adapted to rest on the floor or other supporting surface. It will become ap parent that it is unnecessary for the apparatus to be secured to the floor. The base 19 is elongated in one direction as will be apparent from a comparison of Figure 3 with Figures 1 and 4, for a purpose to be described. The base is provided with a top wall I2 and accordingly constitutes with the bottom plate H a closed container. This container is adapted to serve as a reservoir for the oil used in the system, as will be described, the body of the oil being indicated in Figure 4 by the numeral l3. It will become apparent that the top wall I2 of the base is subjected to substant'ial weights and pressures, and accordingly it is preferably provided with one or more stiffening ribs l4 (Figure 4).

A pedestal I5 is supported on the top wall l2 and is secured thereto as at l6. This pedestal is bored to provide a cylinder H in which is mounted a piston I8 to provide the lower or vertical hydraulic ram to be referred to in detail later. The top of the pedestal I5 is flanged as at I9 to provide a supporting surface for a support 26, which is bolted to the flange l9 as at 2|. The support is preferably an integral casting and flares toward its upper left or rear sides as seen in Figure 3 to form a support for a longitudinally extending plate 23, the upper right side of the support 20 terminating in a higher plane for a purpose that will be obvious. The support 20 is provided with a rectangular opening in which is arranged a rectangular lower pressure plate 24 secured in any suitable manner to the upper end of the piston l8. During the operation of the apparatus, the introduction of oil under pressure into the lower end of the cylinder U will cause the piston |8 to move upwardly whereby the plate 24 exerts upward force to transmit a compressing force to the bacon belly in a manner to be described.

Guide members 21 and 28 are suitably mounted on plate 23 and support 20 on opposite sides of the apparatus and extend transversely thereof, being provided with horizontal guideways 29 and 30 as seen in Figures 1 and 4 and vertical guideways SI and 32 as seen in Figures 2 and 5 for purposes to be described. The horizontal guideways 29 and 39 slidably support a novel heavy cover plate 33 of great strength due to one or more stiffening ribs 34 and so formed for additional strength as to include a guideway 35, as shown in Figure 4, for a purpose to be described. It will become apparent that the plate 33 is a stationary horizontal plate of thepress chamber, such chamber lying below the plate 33.

The guide member 28, as seen in Figure 5, is provided with extensions 36 and 31 projecting away from the press chamber and provided with parallel guides 38, the lower edges of which are turned inwardly to form supporting guide members 36'. The portion of the guide member 28 in which the guideway 36 is formed, bridges across and rigidly connects the portions of the member 28 lying on opposite sides of the space between the guides 38.

Referring to Figures 1, 4 and 5, the numeral 39 designates a heavy plate extending transversely of the ends of the projections 36 and 31 and bolted thereto as at 40. ranged against the outer face of the plate 39 and is provided with a head 42 at its outer end. Bolts 43 secure the head 42 with respect to the cylinder 4| and also secure the cylinder 4| to the plate 39. A piston 44 is reciprocable in the cylinder 4| and is preferably formed integral with the plate 44' which operates between the guide members 36 and 31 and is slidably supported on the adjacent inturned flanges 36 of these guide members. The end of the piston 44 toward the head 42 is hollow as indicated at 45. A tension spring 46 is mounted within the opening and is secured at one end as at 41 to the piston. The other end of the spring is connected to a hook 48 threaded in a spider member 49 and provided with a hexagonal end 50 whereby it may be turned to adjusted positions prior to being connected to the spring. The spring 46 obviously retracts the piston 44 and upon introduction of A cylinder 4| is arpressure into the outer end of the cylinder, the piston 44 is moved inwardly to transmit a compression force to the adjacent end of a bacon belly as will become apparent.

A heavy plate 5 I, see Figures 2, 3 and 5, extends across the rear ends of the guide members 21 and 28 and is secured at its ends to the respective guide members as at 52. A cylinder 53 has one end seated about an opening in plate 5| and is provided at its outer end with a head 54. Bolts 55 secure the head 54 to the cylinder and secure the cylinder 53 to the plate 5|. A piston 56 is reciprocable in the cylinder 53 and is connected to a slide 51 elongated transversely of the axis of the cylinder 53. This slide 51 is supported upon the upper face of the plate 23 (Figure 3), and as viewed in Figure 5, has its right edge in sliding engagement with guide 28 and its left edge in sliding engagement with the left end wall 64 of the pressure chamber as will be described in detail.

The structure of the piston 56 is similar to the piston 44, being recessed in its end to contain a spring 58 secured at its inner end as at 59 to the piston 56 and having its outer end engaging a hook 60. This hook has a polygonal outer end 6| and is threaded in the spider member 62. It will become apparent that the introduction of fluid under pressure in the outer end of the cylinder 53 will move the piston 56 inwardly to transmit pressure to the adjacent edge of the bacon belly. v

As previously stated, the lower piston l8 (Figure 4) is movable upwardly to cause the plate 24 to exert an upward force which compresses the bacon belly vertically, the meat lying horizontally within the press chamber. The slides. 44' and 51 (Figure 5) exert forces to press the belly endwise and sidewise, and accordingly it will be apparent that the press chamber is reducible in size in three dimensions. Accordingly a die plate or platen formed of a single thick block 65, slidably supported by the plate 24, forms the bottom of the die chamber and is slidable with respect to the plate 24 and with respect to an integral side and end structure 63 and 64 respectively (Figure 5) to be described.

Referring to Figures 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the platen 65 has an opening 66 boredtherein in which is mounted a spring member 61 which bears against the support 26 to resiliently urge the platen 65 against the lower part of the face of the slide 51. If desired several of these spring members may be provided to insure satisfactory return of the platen 65 to its inoperative position after the pressing operation. As seen in Figure 4, the platen 65 is also provided in its left end face with an opening 68 in which is mounted a spring member 69 which abuts a member 10. The left end of the plate 24 as viewed in Figure 4 has provided therein a keyway 1| in which slides a key 12 rigidly connected to the member 10. It will be obvious that as platen 65 moves forwardly or backwardly, key 12 slides forwardly and backwardly in keyway 1| thus insuring a constant urging of platen 65 to the right or against the lower portion of the pressure plate attached to slide 44'. It will thus become apparent that motion of slide 44' to the left or motion of slide 51 forwardly will cause the platen 65 to move to the left or forwardly and it will be returned by the spring members 61 and 69 to the inoperative position after the slides 44' and 51 are again retracted.

In order that the face plate of slide 44' will permit slide 51 to fully advance to the position desired for pressing the meat products; the slide 44' is provided with a collapsible or telescopic face or pressure plate member 15 as shown in Figure and in detail in Figure 6. This collapsible pressure or face plate comprises three interfitting U-shaped members 15, 11 and 18 respectively, and the unit 14 is secured by means of screws 15 to slide 85. The U-shaped member 16, which is open at its top and one side, supports within its open portion the U-shaped member 11. One leg of U-shaped member 18 is supported by member 16 in the open section of U-shaped member 11, the front plate or other leg section of U-shaped member 18 extending along the front portion of member 15 as viewed in Figure 5. A spring member 19 is secured to the member 16 and bears against the back of U-shaped member 11 while spring member 88 is secured to member 11 and bears against the rear leg of U-shaped member 18. It is obvious that as the slide 51 moves forwardly its right hand edge as viewed in Figure 5 will bear against the bottom of U-shaped member 18 causing a telescopic action of the member 14 as a whole, resulting in the reduction of the width of the press chamber. It is again apparent that the endwise motion of slide 44 can be effected at the same time, thus simultaneously reducing the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the press chamber.

A novel and very important feature of my invention resides in the provision of the integral side and end structure 63 and 54 which is slidably supported for vertica1 movement in the guideways 3|, 32 and by platen 65. As seen in Figures 3 and 5, the side member 63 is supported against outward pressure by the supporting structure 28. As seen in Figure 4, the end structure 64 is supported against outward pressure by the lower portion of horizontal guide groove 29 in the guide member 21 and also by the outer side of guideway 35 bearing in turn against the sides of guideway 29. It will become apparent from examination of Figures 3, 4 and 5 that upon exertion of upward pressure by the lower piston l8, platen 65 will force side and end members 63 and 64 to move vertically in the aforementioned guideways, thus decreasing the vertical dimensions of the press box.

Referring to Figure 7, I have diagrammatically indicated therein a fluid pressure system and means for supplying pressure fluid to the three rams and for releasing the fluid therefrom. As this fluid control system is fully described in my copending application and as it forms no part of the present invention a detailed explanation will be unnecessary here.

As seen in Figures 3, 4 and particularly Figure 7, oil is drawn from the reservoir l3 through a pipe 8| by a pump 82 which is chain or belt driven by a motor 83 suitably mounted on the base I0. Pipe 84 connects the pump 82 with a four-way hydraulic valve 85 which is manually controlled by a handle lever 86. Pipes 81, 88, and 89 connect the valve 85 with ram cylinders 11, 4| and 53 respectively. Incorporated in a branch pipe 98 leading from the pipe 84 is a pressure relief valve 5| preferably though not necessarily set for a pressure of 150 pounds per square inch. This relief valve 9| permits continuous operation of the motor 83 and pump 82, as when the pressure for which the relief valve isv set is exceeded,- this valve will open andbypass the pumped oil back to the oil reservoir l3 through a pipe 92. Valve is also connected to the oil reservoir I3 by pipe as which serves to drain pipes 81, 88 and 89 of pressure fluid when valve 85 is closed.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When it is desired to press a bacon belly the operator using one of the flanges 34 (Figures 3 and 4) as a handle, will move the slide or cover plate 33 to the left as viewed in Figure 3 thus opening the top of the press hammer. The bacon belly, with the skin removed, is placed in the press chamber and is supported therein by the floating platen 55. The operator then moves the slide or cover plate 33 back to its operative position abutting the side wall 63 as shown in Figure 3, whereupon the press chamber will be completely closed and the apparatus will be ready for operation.

The operator will then manipulate the fourway hydraulic valve 85 by means of handle 86 causing the oil under pressure to flow from the reservoir to the cylinders in proper sequence, for example, in accordance with the sequence described in my copending application referred to.

The first pressing operation is done on the longitudinal edges by slide 51 actuated by the fluid pressure in cylinder 53 behind piston 56. Movement of the slide 51 presses the longitudinal edges of the bacon belly and at the same time collapses pressure plate 14, and as seen in Figure 3, forces platen 55 against the action of spring 61 toward the right, thereby effecting an ironing operation on the lower face of the bacon belly caused by platen 65 sliding to the right over plate 24. As slide 51 moves under fluid pressure to its preselected position, fluid pressure is admitted to cylinder H forcing piston and slide 84' to the left (Figure 4) to press the ends of the bacon belly. As the lower portion ofv end pressure plate 14 bears against floating platen 55 this platen will also be forced to the left against the action of spring 69,thus effecting not only a compression of the end edges of the bacon belly but a further ironing operation of the bottom surface thereof.

The end of platen 55 will now extend through an opening 21 in guide member 21, that is, beyond the furthermost dimension of the machine. This platen is actually floating on the milled top surface of plate 24 and is not connected thereto, the only connections between the platen 65 and the supporting structure of the apparatus being that of the spring members 61 and 65 which merely operate to return the platen to its original position when the pressing operation has been accomplished. The bottom of this floating platen is also milled while the top is surfaced with stainless steel, the primary purpose of which is to prevent discoloration of the bacon belly.

Simultaneously with, or subsequently to, the action of compressing slides 51 and M, fluid is admitted to cylinder I1 thereby actuating piston l8 in an upward direction, thereby effecting a flattening of the bacon belly. As fluid pressure urges piston l8 upwardly platen 55 is also urged upwardly and against the bacon belly, and the integral side and end members 63 and 54 which rest on platen 65 are caused to move upwardly in the grooves 3|, 82 and 35. Thus it will be seen that the bacon bellies will have their sides and edges squared up and their bottom and top surfaces flattened by this pressing operation which requires only a few seconds to complete. In practice it has beenfound that the bellies can be quickly and efficiently pressed if they are placed in a pressing chamber at a temperature of approximately 37 F, J

It will now be seen that the horizontal pressing actions are resisted by the box-like forming chamber walls 63, 64 resulting in the provision of straight and parallel edges and ends on the belly. The vertical pressing operation which is completed after all the edges of the belly have been squared performs the function of deforming the belly through its thickness to render the two faces of the meat parallel to each other.

If the pressing operations are carried out in the present apparatus under the conditions of temperature and operating sequences described, although any operating sequence might be arranged, the complete pressing operation requires only a very few seconds for its completion. The three pistons of the hydraulic rams are preferably successively initially operated, and after being brought into operation, they remain operative until the pressing operation is completed, and accordingly no lost time is involved between the three operations. It is further emphasized that the floating platen 6.5 performs two directional ironing operations upon the bottom of the bacon belly simultaneously or independently as desired in addition to the vertical pressing operation,

After the various operations referred to have been completed, the pistons of the three hydraulic rams are returned to their normal or inoperative positions in the manner described, whereupon the operator may push the slide 33 to the left as viewed in Figure 3 thus opening the press chamber. The operator may then remove the press belly from the press chamber and immediately place another belly in position to be pressed. This operation may be continuously repeated and inasmuch as the entire operation of pressing a bacon belly requires only a few seconds, a single pressing apparatus has a very large daily production and accordingly is very economical in operation. The meat as pressed, may be sliced substantially in its entirety as number one meat, thus eliminating the substantial losses involved in cutting away a number of slices of bacon from each end of the belly before reaching the points at which full length strips of bacon may be cut.

The importance of the novel structure of the press chamber of this apparatus cannot be over emphasized as a simple and rugged press chamber is herein provided having many advantages. A side and end 53 and 64 respectively of the press chamber are integral to cooperate with the horizontally moving end pressure wall Hi i and rear pressure wall 51 to deform the bacon belly so as to produce straight and parallel edges and sides, while the thickness of the belly may be compressed to any desired point between the upper pressure surface 33 and the lower floating platen 65. The particular structure and arrangement of lower pressure platen 65 provides the desired two dimensional ironing actions which efiiciently smooth the bottom side of the bacon belly while permitting a vertical compression of the belly due to the particular arrangement of the integral side of the forming box and its vertical motion in its guideways. All parts of the apparatus described are sufficiently thick and properly designed to provide the necessary structural strength and at the same time to efliciently perform the particular functions required.

Except where reference is made to the top or coverplate, it is to be noted that the expressions vertical, horizontal, etc., as defining the positions of the walls of the press chamber are intended to be purely relative terms and are not intended to limit the positions of the portions of the apparatus referred to.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A press comprising a pair of spaced horizontal structures, avertically movable integral side and end wall structure, a horizontally movable side wall structure and a horizontally movable end wall structure forming a press chamber, and means for relatively moving said structures to effect a three-directional pressing of an article in said chamber.

2. A press comprising a pair of spaced relatively movable horizontal structures, a vertically movable integral side and end wall structure supported on one of said horizontal structures, and movable side and movable end wall structures abutting one of said horizontal structures, said structures defining a press chamber, and means for relatively moving said structures to effect simultaneously three-directional pressing of an article in said chamber.

3. A press comprising relatively movable horizontal structures, a vertically movable integral side and end structure supported by one of said horizontal structures, and side and end structures movable relative to said integral side and end structure, said structures defining a press chamber.

l. A press comprising a pair of relatively movable horizontal structures, an integral side and end structure floatingly supported for vertical movement by one of said horizontal structures, and a movable side and a movable end structure, said structures defining a press chamber, said movable side and end structures abutting the side and end of one of said horizontal structures to effect therewith a three-directional pressing of the article in the press chamber.

5. A press comprising a movable side and a movable end structure and a vertically movable integral side and end structure defining walls of a press chamber having a vertically movable bottom horizontal structure abutting the movable end and movable side structure and supporting the integral side and end structure, and a top horizontal structure spaced from said bottom' horizontal structure and abutting the integral side and end wall structure.

6. A press comprising a pair of spaced horizontal structures the lower of which is vertically movable, a vertically movable integral side and end wall structure supported on said lower horizontal structure, and movable side and movable end wall structures abutting said vertically movable horizontal structure, said structures defining a press chamber, and means for moving said movable structures to efiect a three-directional pressing of an article in said chamber.

'7. A press comprising a pair of spaced horizontal structures, an integral side and end wall structure arranged for vertical movement, and a movable side and a movable end wall structure said structures defining a press chamber, one of said horizontal structures being constructed and" arranged for vertical movement, the other horizontal structure having a guideway formed therein to guide said integral side and end wall structure for vertical movement upon vertical movement ofthe first named horizontal structure.

8. A press comprising movable side and end structures, relatively movable horizontal structures, and an integral side and end structure supported for vertical movement by one of said horizontal structures, said structures forming a chamber and arranged to efiect a three-directional pressing of an article in said chamber.

9. A press comprising a pair of horizontal structures the lower of which is vertically movable, a yertically movable integral side and end structure supported on said lower horizontal structure, and movable side and end wall structures, said structures defining a press chamber, the movable end wall structure comprising a collapsible'pressure face.

10. A press comprising a pair of relatively movable horizontal structures, an integral side and end structure supported for vertical movement by one of said horizontal structures, and movable side and end wall structures, said structures defining a press chamber, the movable end wall structure having a collapsible face, and power means connected to each of said movable structures whereby a reduction of the size of the press chamber is effected.

11. A press comprising a pair of spaced horizontal structures, a vertically movable integral side and end wall structure, and a horizontally movable side and a horizontally movable end wall structure, said structures defining a press chamber, the horizontally movable end wall structure comprising a pressure-applying assem bly formed of a plurality of interfitting U-shaped members including spring means, whereby said assembly is horizontally contractible and expansible.

12. A press comprising upper and lower horizontal structures, an integral side and end wall structure directly supported on the lower horizontal structure, a movable side and a movable end wall structure, all of said structures combining to form a press chamber, means for mounting said upper horizontal structure for movement to open the press chamber to provide access thereto, and means for actuating the movable side and end wall structures to move them horizontally and to actuate the lower horizontal structure to move it vertically.

13. A press comprising upper and lower horizontal structures, an integral side and end wall structure directly supported on the lower horizontal structure, a movable side and a movable end wall structure, all of said structures combining to form a press chamber, means for supporting the upper horizontal structure for horizontal sliding movement to an open position to provide access to the press chamber, said upper horizontal structure having a guideway therein receiving at least a portion of said integral wall structure to permit vertical movement thereof, and separate means for moving said movable side andend wall structures horizontally and for moving the lower horizontal structure vertically.

14; A press comprising a frame having spaced parallel horizontal guideways, a top press element constituting a cover horizontally slidable in said guideways, a bottom horizontal press element mounted for vertical movement, an integral end and side wall structure, said cover having a guideway. parallel to the guideways of said frame to receive one of the walls of said integral structure to provide for vertical movement thereof, said, integral wall structure being directly supported upon said lower horizontal element to be vertically moved therewith, and horizontally movable end and side walls contacting with the adjacent end and side of the lower horizontal member to effect horizontal movement thereof when said movable end and side Wall structures are actuated.

BENJAMIN J. PIERSON. 

